“I am the boss!” How People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities Access, Use and Benefit from Assistive Technology in Entrepreneurship

People with disabilities (PWD) especially those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) continuously experience high rates of unemployment and underemployment. For this population, working in an entrepreneurial or self-employment environment allows for control of income, benefits, health insurance or healthcare benefits, flexible hours, location, job autonomy, and accommodations. Guided by the concepts derived from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT/UTAUT2), this dissertation research examined the access, usage, and acceptance of assistive technology (AT) amongst people with I/DD who work in entrepreneurial or self-employment work environments. A qualitative approach of semi-structured interviews with 16 people with I/DD who operate their own businesses was used. Results reveal that AT used includes a variety of commercially available digital devices, such as smartphones, computers, and tablets, are critical to operating the business. Through continuous use and practice, digital devices and accessibility software features allow for participants to use their devices independently and complete job-related tasks independently without relying on natural supports such as support from parents or other human aides. There is also a need to a greater understanding of the definition of the term AT as well as broadening the definition to be inclusive of functional and social benefits. This dissertation offers both scholarly and practical implications in the area of access, use and benefits of AT for people with I/DD and the need for implementing more holistic policies related to AT for those who can benefit from the technology.